Diagnostic supplies

Tender description

Please note this is not the start of a procurement process. A separate contract notice will be published to cover this requirement. Please see II.2.4 for details of the procurement. Please note this is not the start of a procurement process. A separate contract notice will be published to cover this requirement. Prior to commencing a formal procurement process and to help inform our strategy/ requirements. NHSBT is seeking to engage with suppliers who can provide Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAT) Testing systems for the screening of blood, tissue and stem cell donations. These systems must have the ability to detect Hepatitis C (HCV) ribonucleic acid (RNA), Hepatitis E (HEV) RNA, Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA, Hepatitis B (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and West Nile Virus (WNV) RNA. The Authority requires the supply and installation of a fully integrated microbiology managed equipment service for NAT Testing at its two testing sites (Filton and Manchester). This includes the assays, equipment and data management software required to send final results to the Authority’s information management system. All screening must be performed in accordance with the EU Blood Directive and EU Tissue and Stem Cell Directive, enacted in the UK as the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations, and the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations. In addition, all screening must be performed according to the standards set out in the current edition of the UK Guidelines for Transfusion Services (Red Book). NHSBT would like to consult the market to improve our knowledge of all current suitable NAT Testing systems available, to identify further opportunities and potential issues, and gauge market interest in the proposed service. It is NHSBT’s intention to conduct pre-procurement supplier engagement. This will most likely include engagement days as well as reviews of documents and email communication. The details of the engagements will be issued when known. Initially, please can you respond with details of what you can offer to meet the requirements detailed above. Interested organisations are required to send an email (expressing their interest) to james.davenport@nhsbt.nhs.uk by no later than 17:00hrs (GMT) on 28.2.2019, including a brief overview (or a website link) of the Goods/ Services which might be offered. Further information (e.g. the DRAFT technical specifications, award criteria, intended timescales etc.) may be released — for consultation purposes only — to those organisations who express an interest. It is the intention of NHSBT to award a contract for this requirement in November 2020.